Link for a buckle,watch bracelet,watch strap or similar article

ABSTRACT

A LINK FOR A BUCKLE, A WATCH BRACELET, A WATCH STRAP OR SIMILAR ARTICLE. THE LINK INCLUDES A FIRST AND SECOND SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME MEMBER SUPERIMPOSED UPON EACH OTHER. LONGITUDINALLY CURVED SIDES OF THE FRAME MEMBERS ARE HELD TOGETHER BY CONNECTING MEMBERS SECURED BY SOLDERING, WELDING OR BY MECHANICAL MEANS. AN INNER LINK IS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE FRAME MEMBERS AND BIASED BY A SPRING TO A CONTRACTED POSITION. IN ONE EMBODIMENT THE LINK IS NOT EXPANSIBLE. IN ANOTHER EMBODIMENT IT IS EXPANSIBLE AND IS ADAPTED TO AUTOMATICALLY EXPAND AND CONTRACT SO THAT THE BRACELET OR STRAP CAN BE USED WITH WRISTS OF DIFFERENT SIZES WITHOUT DISCOMFORT TO THE WEARER.

Oct. 5, 1971 K. A. RIETH 3,609,962

LINK FOR A BUCKLE, WATCH BRACELET. WATCH STRAP 0R SIMILAR ARTICLE" Filed Jan. 23, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \4 13A i |4A 20c 20F 20B 40 D l 30p 300 FIG. 3

408 H |3A I3 I38 495 I I goc 2o d'l V II 20E l'k if l 200 |3H F as I36 i 200 if I 20F I l 1 n v I: Mi "I:

' 4 INVENTOR KURT A. RIETH ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1971 K. A. RIETH 3,609,962

LINK FOR A BUCKLE, WATCH BRACELET, WATCH STRAP 0R SIMILAR ARTICLE: 4 Filed Jan. 23, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 73 INVENTOR KURT A. RIETH ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oifice 3,609,962 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 US. C]. 59-79 R 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A link for a buckle, a watch bracelet, a watch strap or similar article. The link includes a first and second substantially rectangular frame member superimposed upon each other. Longitudinally curved sides of the frame members are held together by connecting members secured by soldering, welding or 'by mechanical means. An inner link is positioned between the sides of the frame members and biased by a spring to a contracted position. In one embodiment the link is not expansible. In another embodiment it is expansible and is adapted to automatically expand and contract so that the bracelet or strap can be used with wrists of different sizes without discomfort to the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years it has been common in this country to provide a link for a buckle, a watch bracelet or a watch strap of the type which consists of a longitudinally curved outer rectangular frame member which includes a pair of spaced side members and a pair of spaced end members. When the link is to be expansible it also includes (1) flanges extending inwardly from the frame side members to form guide means, (2) an inner link positioned between the side frame members which includes spaced upper and lower members and an end member located in the space between the end frame members, with the flanges of the side frame members extending into openings in the opposite sides of the inner link between its upper and lower members and (3) resilient means biased between the inner link end member and one of the end frame members for urging that end frame member away from that inner link end member.

However the manufacture of these types of links is very expensive and time consuming and their aesthetic designs are limited. The manufacture is expensive and requires an undue amount of time because the outer rectangular frame member is made by milling out the top and bottom parts of a rectangular piece of base metal to provide the top and bottom surfaces of the frame end members and in the case of an expansible link to also form the inwardly extending flanges. Then the central opening is pierced out to form the inner sides of the frame members and in the case of an expansible link to form the inner sides and ends of the flanges. Then the frame member is formed into a longitudinally curved shape. Milling such a frame member is a very expensive operation.

When it is desired to make a link with a yellow or White gold finish it is necessary to electroplate at least the side frame members which are exposed to view when the link is worn by the user. It is very expensive to electroplate the frame member both because of the time required and also because of the cost of the material necessary to provide heavy gold coatings. While it is possible to make such a frame member of gold-filled material, it is even more expensive and diflicult to do that.

Accordingly, there has been a recognized long-felt need for both a non-expansible and an expansible link of this type which is inexpensive to manufacture, which provides flexibility of aesthetic designs and which is durable and entirely satisfactory in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of this invention is to provide a non-expansible and an expansible link of the aforesaid type which is economical to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a link which may be used to provide different aesthetic designs at a low cost.

A further object is to provide such a link which is durable and entirely satisfactory in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In general, the invention consists in providing a first substantially rectangular frame member having a pair of spaced longitudinally curved side members and a pair of spaced end members connecting the ends of said side members and a second substantially rectangular frame member having a pair of spaced longitudinally curved side members and a pair of spaced end members connecting the ends of said side members. With an expansible link at least one pair of said opposite frame side members is provided with longitudinally curved flanges extending inwardly therefrom to provide guide means. To assemble these frame members, they are superimposed upon each other with the adjacent faces of said longitudinally curved side members in face-to-face relationship and a pair of longitudinally curved connecting members are slid over the side members. Each connecting member comprises a side Wall which is located adjacent to the outer faces of a pair of the superimposed side frame members and upper and lower flanges extending inwardly from the upper and lower edges of said side wall respectively and adjacent to the upper face of one side frame member and to the lower face of the other side frame member respectively.

The frame members may be made of stainless steel or other relatively inexpensive metal by the operations of blanking and piercing and then forming them into a longitudinally curved shape as distinguished from the much more expensive prior art method of milling, piercing and forming a single thick frame member.

If the link or buckle incorporating it is to be provided with a gold-filled appearance, the connecting members may be quickly and economically made of gold-filled stock by blanking and forming. Before the connecting members are blanked and formed, a silver alloy solder is applied to the base material side of the gold-filled stock and it is rolled to gauge as a laminate. It has been found that a solder layer of from about .0003" to .0004" in thickness is satisfactory.

After the connecting members have been formed, they are slid over the Superimposed side frame members and the assembly is then passed through an atmosphere controlled furnace on a conveyor to solder the connecting members to the side frame members. The atmosphere of the furnace may be of hydrogen or of disassociated ammonia to prevent discoloration of the metal parts. The temperature of the furnace may be about 1,450" F.

If it is desired to provide the link with a stainless steel appearance, the connecting members are made of stainless steel stock and a silver alloy solder braising paste is applied to the inner surfaces of the connecting members or to the side frame members before the connecting members are slid over the side frame members. The assembled parts are then passed through a similar atmospherecontrolled furnace to solder them together.

Instead of securing the connecting members to the frame members by soldering they may be connected thereto by welding or by mechanical means.

: To assemble a frame member into an expansible link, i w

an inner link is positioned between the side frame members. This inner link comprises spaced upper and lower members and an end member which is located in the space between the end frame members with the flanges or guide means of the side frame members extending into openings in opposite Sides of the inner link. Resilient means such as a Z-type spring is biased between said inner link end member and one of the end frame members and it urges that end frame member away from that inner link end member. To finish such a link an ornamental cap made of gold-filled, stainless steel, silver or other material to match the finish of the connecting members is snapped 'over the top of the inner link member.

In use of the link as-a part of an expansible buckle or of an expansible watch bracelet it can be expanded by exerting tension on the end of the frame member'which is not within the inner link, thus compressing the spring .and when the tension is released the spring automatically returns the framemember to a contracted position where the link resiliently grips the wrist of the wearer.

Use of such an expansible link is not limited to incorporating it in a buckle since a plurality of expansible links embodying the invention may be attached together to provide an expansible watch bracelet, identification bracelet or other type of expansible bracelet. 'It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that this invention has solved the recognized long-felt need for a'link of' this type which is inexpensive to manufacture,'may be used to provide flexibility of aesthetic designs and is durable and entirely satisfactory in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS curved frame members in superimposed relationship and one of the ornamental connecting members partially slid over the near sides of the frame members;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view on a reduced scale showing the ornamental cap about to be placed on the inner link of the expansible links;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a buckle which includes both an expansible link and a non-expansible link embodying this invention, the ornamental clasp being shown in a partially open position;

and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the buckle of FIG. 7 with the clasp in closed position and the expansible link in an expanded position, the clasp and connecting member of the non-expansible link being broken away to show one end frame member, part of one side frame member and the cross frame member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings an expansible buckle for a watch bracelet or watch strap is shown inwhich the expansible portion 10 comprises two expansible sections 11 and 12 held together in end to end relationship by an inner link 13.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the expansible section 11 includes a first substantially rectangular frame member superimposed upon a second substantially rectangular frame member 30, these frame members being held together by a pair of connecting members 40 (only one is shown in FIG. 5

The first frame member 20 is comprised of a pair of I spaced longitudinally curved side members 20A and 20B,

a P i 9 s ac dm bfirs ZQQQ UP and i u i longitudinally extending guide flanges 20E and 20F. The second frame member 30 is comprised of a pair of spaced longitudinally curved side members 30A and 30B, 21 pair of spaced end members 30C and 30D and longitudinally extendingguide flanges 301-3 and 30F These frame members may be made of stainless steel or other relatively inexpensive metal by the operations of blanking, piercing and forming.

The frame members are held together by a pair of longitudinally curvedconnecting members 40. Each connecting member is comprised of a side wall 40A, upper and lower flanges 40B and 40C'extending inwardly from the upper and lower edges of the side wall 40A respectively and a pair of inner flanges 40B and 40E. Flange 40]) extending downwardly from the upper flange 40B and flange 40E extending upwardly from the lower flange 40C as shown in FIG. 2. These connecting members are generally C-shaped in cross section as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6.

If the buckle is to be provided with a gold-filled appearance, the connecting members may be made of goldfilled stock. Before the connecting members are blanked and formed, a silver alloy solder is applied to the base material side of the gold-filled stock and it is rolled to gauge as a laminate. It has been found that a solder layer of from about .0003" to .0004" in thickness is satisfactory.

After the connecting members have been formed, they are slid over the superimposed side frame members 20A, 30A and 20B, 30B as shownin 'FIG. 5.

The assembly is then passed through an atmosphere controlled furnace on a conveyor. The atmosphere'may be of hydrogen or of disassociated ammonia to prevent discoloration of the metal parts. The temperature of the furnace may be about 1,450 F. v I

This soldering step causes the connecting members to be firmly secured to the frame members and accordingly the frame members are firmly held in superimposed relationship.

If it is desired to provide the link with a stainless steel appearance, the connecting members are made of stainless steel stock and a silver alloy solder braising paste is applied to the inner surfaces of the connecting members or to the side frame members beforethe connecting members are slid over the side frame members. The assembled parts are then passed through a similar atmosphere controlled furnace to solder them together.

Instead of securing the connecting members to the frame members by soldering they may be connected thereto by welding or by mechanical means.

The other expansible section 12 is identical to the expansible section 11 but in the assembled buckle it is oriented in the opposite direction so its end frame members 200 and 30C are located towards the frame members 200 and -30C of the expansible section 11 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3

and 4.

The inner link 13 serves to slideably receive the superimposed flanges 20E, 30B and 20F, 30F of-the'frame members of the sections 11 and 12 and to house the Z-type springs 14A and 14B so that by pulling on the end frame members 20D, 30D of the frame members of the sections 11 and 12 they may be moved from their contracted positions of FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 to their expanded positions of FIG. 4. When the pulling forces are released the frame members are returned by the springs to their contracted positions. V

The inner link 13 comprises the upper members 13A, 13B, the end members 13C, 13D, the lower member 13B and the downwardly extending stop members or flanges 13F. The notches 136 and 13H may be omitted if desired.

The superimposed flanges 20E, 30B and 20F, 30F enter the open sides of the inner link 13 and they serve as means for guiding the frame members of sections 11- and 12 during their movements from contracted to expanded positions and from expanded to Contracted positions.

The Z-type spring 14A is biased between the inner link end member 130 and the superimposed end frame members 20C and 30C of the frame member of section 11 and it urges the frame member may from the inner link end member as shown in FIGS. 3 and 1. When the link is expanded this Z-type spring is compressed as shown in FIG. 3 and when the pulling force is released the spring returns the frame member to its contracted position of FIG. 3.

The Z spring 14B is biased between the inner link end member 13D andthe superimposed end frame members 20C and 30C of the frame member of section 12 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 1 and it functions in the same manner with the frame member of this section.

The stop members 13F serve to prevent the end frame members of the two sections 11 and 12 from coming into engagement with each other in their contracted positions 'as shown in FIG. 3.

The inner link may be made of stainless steel or any other suitable material.

To finish the buckle, the ornamental cap member (FIG. 6) is snapped upon the top walls of the inner link. This cap is made of a material which matches the connecting members 40. For example, if they are made of gold-filled material, the cap is also made of gold-filled material.

The ends of a watch bracelet or watch strap may be attached to the end frame members D, 30D in any suitable manner to provide a watch bracelet or strap which includes an expansible buckle.

Another embodiment of a buckle which includes both non-expansible and expansible links embodying this invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The expansible section 50 of this embodiment is identical to the section 12 of the first embodiment. The top wall and end wall 60B and 60D respectively of the inner link member 60 of this embodiment are similar to the top and end walls 13B and 13D of the first embodiment but the lower wall is formed with a short extension 60K to which the ornamental cap 70 is pivotally secured by the hinge 71.

The non-expansible link comprises a pair of superimposed longitudinally curved frame members 80 and 90 which are similar to frame members 20 and 30 of the first embodiment except that they do not have inwardly extending flanges 20E and 20F and 30E and 30F. In addition to the end frame members 80C, 90C and 80D, 90D there is a cross frame member 80], 90] which extends between the side frame members 80A, 80B and 90A, 90B. This cross frame member receives the ornamental cap 70 for holding the non-expansible link in the desired spaced relationship from the adjacent end of the expansible section 50.

The side frame members 80A, 90A and 80B, 90B are secured together in face-to-face relationship by longitudinally curved connecting members 40 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The hinged ornamental cap is detachably connected to the non-expansible link 80 by passing its end through slot 81 which is provided between the end frame member 80D, 90D and the cross frame member 801, 90] and then closing the cap to the position shown in FIG. 8, wherein its end 71A snaps over the end wall 60D of the inner link 60. To open the buckle for removing the watch (not shown) and watch strap 100, 102 from the wearers wrist the buckle is opened by placing a fingernail beneath the end tab 72, disengaging the end flange 71A from the end 60D of the inner link member, swinging the cap to open position and then sliding it out of the slot 81, thus sparating it from the non-expansible link.

The single expansible link 50 of this embodiment functions the same as each of the expansible links 11 and 12 of the first embodimeht and it serves to permit the watch and watch strap to be used with different size wrists.

This invention provides both non-expansible and expansible links which are economical to manufacture, which may be used to provide different aesthetic designs at low cost, and which are durable and entirely satisfactory in use.

While three desirable embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that various changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts as well as the'substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A link for a buckle, a bracelet or similar article comprising a first substantially rectangular frame member having a pair of spaced longitudinally curved side members and a pair of spaced end members connecting the ends of said side members and a second substantially rectangular frame member having a pair of spaced longitudinally curved side members and a pair of spaced end members connecting the ends of said side members,

1 said first and second frame members being superimposed upon each other with the adjacent faces of said longitudinally curved side members in face-to-face relationship,

means for holding said first and second frame members in said superimposed relationship comprising a pair of longitudinally curved connecting members, each connecting member comprising a side wall adjacent to the outer faces of a pair of said longitudinally curved side frame members and upper and lower flanges extending inwardly from the upper and lower edges of said side wall respectively and adjacent to the upper face of one side frame member and to the lower face of the other side frame member respectively, and

means for securing said connecting members to said first and second side frame members. 2. A link according to claim 1 wherein each connecting member also comprises a pair of inner flanges, one extending downwardly from said upper flange and the other extending upwardly from said lower flange, said inner flanges being adjacent to the inner faces of said first and second side frame members respectively.

3. A link according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing said connecting members to said first and second side frame members comprises a film of solder.

4. A link according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing said connecting members to said first and second side frame members comprises a weldment.

5. A link according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing said connecting members to said first and second side frame members comprises mechanical means.

6. A link according to claim 1 wherein each connecting member is generally C-shaped in cross section.

7. A link according to claim 1 wherein each connecting member is made of ornamental material.

8. An expansible link for a buckle, a bracelet or similar article comprising a first substantially rectangular frame member having a pair of spaced longitudinally curved side members and a pair of spaced end members connecting the ends of said side members and a second substantially rectangular frame member having a pair of spaced longitudinally curved side members and a pair of spaced end members connecting the ends of said side members, at least one pair of opposite side members having guide means extending inwardly therefrom,

said first and second frame members being superimposed upon each other with the adjacent faces of said longitudinally curved side members in face-to-face relationship,

means for holding said first and second frame members in said superimposed relationship comprising a pair of longitudinally curved connecting members, each connecting member comprising a side wall adjacent, to the outer faces of a pair of said longitudinally curved side frame members and upper and lower flanges-extending inwardly from the upper and lower edges of said side wall respectively and adjacent to the upper face. of one side frame member and to the lower face of the other side frame member respectively,

means for securing said connecting members to said first and second side frame members,

an inner link positioned between said side frame members comprising spaced upper and lower members and an end member located in the space between said end frame members, said guide means extending into openings in the sides of the inner-"link between said upper and lower members and resilient means biased between said inner link end member and one of said end frame members for urging said one end frame member away from said inner link end member. i 9. An expansible link'according to claim 8 wherein 'each connecting member also comprises a pair of.' inner flanges, one extending downwardly from said upper flange and the other extending upwardly from said lower flange,

said inner flanges being adjacent 'to the inner faces of said first and second side framemembers respectively.

10. An expansible link according to claim -8 wherein the means for securing said connecting members to said first and second side fr'ame'members comprises a film of solder.

11. An expansible link according to claim 8 wherein the means for securing said connecting members to said 14. An'expansible link. according -to; claim 8-Whe ein each connecting member is made of ornamental material; 15. An expansible link according to claim 8 inv which eaid resilient means comprises a Z-type spring.

16. An expansible link according to claim 8 which also comprises an ornamental cap member positioned between the side frame members and above the upper member of the inner link when the link is viewed from the top.. p 17. An expansible link according to claim 8 which also comprises a second outer substantially rectangular frame member in end-to-end relationship with the first outer frame member, wherein said inner link is provided with an extension positioned'between the side frame members of the second. outer frame member and having anlend member located in the space between the end members'of the second outer frame member, and a second resilient means is provided which is biased between said end member of said inner link extension and one of the end members of said second outer frame member for urging said one endframe member away from said end member of said inner link extension. v

. 18. An expansible link according to-claim 17 which also comprises stop means on said inner link forlimiting the amount of movement of said-one end members of the outer frame member away from said end members of said inner link and of said inner link extension respectively.

. References Cited,

. UNITED Brecht '59 7 9 R CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner v G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

